Loom harness



Patented July 13,1948 I LOOM HARNESS John Jacob Kaufmann, Elkins Park, Pa., assignmto Steel Heddle Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a .corporation of Pennsyl- Vania Application November 27, 1945, Serial No. 631,204

a claims.- (el. 13s-92) 1 l This invention relates to loom harness, and relates more particularly to the means for suD- porting the heddle bars in the frames intermediatethe ends thereof.

More specifically considered, the present invention relates to a so called hook member of the type which is mounted in the top and bottom rails of the heddle frames at various locations along the length thereof to support the heddle bars and to hold the same against flexing when subjected to strain during the operation of the loom. l

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improved means for supporting the heddle bars intermediate their ends which will be simple and inexpensive, yet quite eiiicient for its purpose.

A further object of the invention is to provide means, ofthe character aforesaid, which is so constructed and arranged that the heddle bar may be quickly and readily disengaged from the supporting device when it is desired to remove the bar from the frame, or to shift the heddles on the bar from one side of the supporting device to the other.

A further object of the invention is to provide means, of the character aforesaid, in which the supporting device proper will be devoid of moving parts and 'spring controlled locking devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide means, of the character aforesaid, which is so constructed and arranged as to provide a relatively large aggregate of bearing surface at the supporting points, thereby serving to reduce Wear on the device as well as on the contacting portions of the heddle bar. i

The nature and characteristic features of the invention|will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a heddle frame having heddle bar supporting devices embodying the main features of the present invention mounted therein;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a device of the present invention, the rail and heddle bar being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view, 'I

Fig. 5 is s. perspective view of that portion of the heddle bar which coacts with the hook member shown in Fig. 4.

It will, oi' course, be understood that the descriptlon and drawing herein are illustrative merely, and that various changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the heddle frame there shown consists of the top and bottom rails or shafts I0, connected at their ends by the usual side struts II. Extending from end to end of the heddle frame and arranged near the top and bottom thereof, in the usual manner, are the heddle bars I2 upon lwhich the heddles I3 are mounted.

The heddle bars I2 are secured in the frame, inthe usual manner, by extending through slots in the end struts II, being normally held against longitudinal movement -therein by the spring members I4. The spring members I4 are supported in the end struts II in the usual manner and have hooked ends engaging the apertures I5 in the ends of the heddle bars I2.

The supporting devices for the heddle bars, comprising the principal novel portions of the present invention, are mounted at suitable locations along the inner edges of the top and bottom rails I0. Each of the heddle bar supporting devices comprises a pin or bolt member 20, having a shank 2l, and one end portion thereof preferably being threaded, as at 22, for engagement with the wooden rail or shaft I0 in a mannen similar to that of an ordinary wood screw. Of course, if desired. the bolt member 20 may extend entirely through the rail and be fixed therein in any preferred manner.

'I'he bolt member 20 is also provided with an inwardly extending flattened portion 23, The portion 23 has two spaced recesses 2,4. of L shape, which extend inwardly vfrom one vertical edge of the portion 23, and then extend toward each other, therebyv providing a central bridge portion 25 and a head portion 26, for a purpose to be presently explained.

At the proper locations on each heddle bar I2 there are provided slots, preferably of T shape, for coaction with the inwardly extending recessed portion of the respective supporting member 20. 'I'he narrow portion 30 of'each slot in the heddle bar I2 is of the same width as the bridge portion 25 of the supporting member, whereas the wider portion li of each slot in the heddle bar I2 is of a width equal to or slightly greater than that .ofv the head portion 26 oi the supporting device.

The recesses 24 in the portion 23 of each of the supporting devices 20 are so located that the top margin of the upper recess 24 and the bottom margin of the lower recess 24 are spaced to correspond with the width of the heddle bar I2 so as to engage and support the heddle bar intermediate the ends, when it is mounted in its operative position in the recesses.

The manner of mounting and dismounting the heddle bars of the frames provided with the devices of the present invention will be readily understood. The heddle bars I2 with the heddles Il mounted thereon have one end of each first inserted in the usual slots in the end lstrut II at one end of the frame, and the wider portions 3I of each slot in the heddle bar I2 is brought opposite the head portion 26 of the hook member, whereupon the heddle bar is pushed into the recesses 24. The heddle bar I2 is then moved longitudinally to bring the other end thereof in engagement with its slot in the other end strut II, and at the same time to cause the narrow portion 30 of the slot in the heddle bar I`2 to be brought in back of the enlarged head portion 26 of the hook member.

The apertures I5 in the ends of the heddle bars I2 are then engaged by the spring members I4, or other means of securing the end portions of the heddle bars. When the heddle bars are thus locked against longitudinal movement in the frame, the enlarged head portions 26 of the hook` members 20 will serve to hold the heddle bars in the recesses 24 of the'said hook mem- 1' bers and to prevent movement thereof either sidewise or vertically. It will be noted that each of the hook members 20 engages the slotted portion of the heddle bar I2 at four places, and up and down motion of the heddle bar, when the strain is imposed thereon during the shedding action, will be eifectively prevented.

I claim:

1. In a heddle frame for looms comprising top and bottom rails, end struts connecting said rails, and heddle bars upon which the heddles are mountedthe mean-s for supporting the heddle bars intermediate their ends comprising members secured at desired locations in the top and bottom rails, each of said members having an inwardly extending part having two spaced recesses of L- shape extending from a vertical edge of said inwardly extending part and then toward each other thereby providing a central bridge portion and an enlarged head portion, said recesses being spaced from each other to provide supports for the toprand bottom edges of the heddle bar, and the hedddle bars having, at complemental locations, a series of T-shaped slots in the narrow portion of each of which the aforesaid bridge portion is adapted to be seated, and through the enlarged portion of which the aforesaid enlarged head portion is adapted to pa-ss, the heddle bars being adapted to be released by being slid longitndinally to positions to permit the enlarged head portions topass through the enlarged portions of the complemental slots in the heddle rod, and means for normally holding the `heddle rods against longitudinal movement.

2. In a heddlerrame for looms comprising top and bottom rails, end struts connecting said rails,

and heddle bars upon which the heddles' are mounted having their end portions mounted in the end struts, the means for supporting the heddle bars intermediate their ends comprising members secured at desired locations in the top and bottom rails, each of said members having an inwardly extending part having two spaced recesses of L-shape extending from a vertical edge 'of said inwardly extending part and then toward each other thereby providing a central bridge portion and an enlarged head portion, said recesses being spaced from each other to provide supports for the top and bottom edges of the heddle bar, and the heddle bars having, at complemental locations, a series o1' T-shaped slots in the narrow portion of which the aforesaid bridge portion is adapted to be seated, and through the enlarged portion of which the aforesaid enlarged head portion is adapted to pass, the heddle bars being adapted to be released by being slid longitudinally to positions to permit the enlarged head portions to pass through the enlarged portions of the complemental slots in the heddle rods, and means for normally holding the heddle rods against longitudinal movement.

3. In a heddle frame for looms comprising top and bottom rails, end struts connecting said rails, and heddle bars upon which the heddles are mounted having their end portions mounted in the end struts, the means for supporting the heddle bars intermediate their ends comprising bolt members secured at desired locations in the top and bottom rails, each of said bolt members having an inwardly extending ilattened part having two spaced recesses of L-shape extending from a vertical edge of said flattened part and then toward each other thereby providing in said flattened part a central bridge portion and an enlarged head portion, said recesses being spaced from each other to provide supports for the top and bottom edges of theheddle bar, and the heddle bars having, at complemental locations, a series of T-shaped slotsin the narrow portion of which the bridge portion of the flattened part of the bolt member is adapted to be seated, and through the enlarged portion of which the enlarged head portion of the flattened part of the bolt member is adapted to pass, the heddle bars being adapted to be released from the bolt members by being slid longitudinally to positions to permit the enlarged head portion of the ilattened part of each bolt member to pass through the enlarged portion of the complemental slot in the heddle rod, and means for normally holding the heddle rods against longitudinal movement.

JOHN JACOB KAUFMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent: v

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Great Britain Jan. 19, 1940 

